Thursday, August 23, 2012

Lessons learnt!!

Every Quilter who buys a pattern, a magazine or a book to make a quilt

NEEDS to read the story below. Please bear with me.
Its a long story with an important lesson.

Its all about faith, trust and hope!

l received this email yesterday. ﻿

Hi Linda,

My name is Janni, I have been taken with your gorgeous adaptation of
your antique schoolhouse quilting the latest edition of patchwork and quilting.

I cut 20 blocks according to the instructions, but am having no end of
difficulty putting the blocks together.

It seems there are some discrepancies in the measurements and I am
finding the pieces will not fit.

Working from the given measurements I find that the door/ window wall
section seems to be shorter than the roof section, and the gable seems to be

far too narrow. Then the white strip between the door/ window walls does

not match up with the roof section.

Comparing the photo of the schoolhouse quilt and the diagram to follow
in the magazine, there is a discrepancy between the two.

The photo shows the white wall section as being narrower than the
comparable roof section, as does the cutting instructions. The diagram
however shows the two sections as being the same width. Also the white wall
piece is cut 10 1/4" which is much longer than the space.

None of this section seems to sit comfortably, I have tried cutting
wider windows, wider and shorter white wall piece, but it will not
match up with the roof, particularly the gable and the wall above the door.

Rather than risk wasting all my lovely fabrics, I was wondering if you
had found some mistakes in the printing,or have heard from other quilters

who are tearing their hair out trying to work it out? I am looking forward to

finishing this quilt as I love its charm and character,
but am getting to the point where I am questioning my own skills.

Please could you help me salvage this quilt!

Yours in all sincerity

Janni

Janni placed her faith in me to make this right. For that l am grateful. This was my reply.

Hi Janni,

Firstly, many thanks for bringing this to my attention. While every effort is made to ensure patterns are correct, its out of my control what the quilt magazine does with the information l send them.

Having enjoyed a wonderful day today visiting numerous quilt shops to deliver flyers for our upcoming exhibition, the last thing l expected to find when l came home was your email.
But l also know l had to try and work out what went wrong. l know l would not have slept otherwise. This is the first time in all the years l have worked with this magazine that they have got it wrong with any of my patterns.

l am sending you 4 pages attached. The first 2 are the original pattern l sent the magazine. The second page shows the mistakes ( circled ) in the printed pattern.

The second 2 pages are the proofs the magazine send me to check for mistakes. As you will see, my original and magazine proofs are the same. However, when the figures l have circled on the 2nd and 4th page are compared to the printed cutting instructions in the magazine, there was definitely something lost in translation.

While this does not help your cut fabric make the block correctly, we have at least found ( or hope l have found ) all the offending mistakes. And to my deep dismay, there is more than 1. ( read here 7. Yes that's 7 )

My suggestion is to make contact with the editor of the magazine, l have added her email below, and explain, as you did in your email to me ( in fact, l would just cut and paste). This is their responsibility to correct. And l would be suggesting full reimbursement for fabric wasted, as my written works and also those sent to me to verify are correct. l will also be writing to the editor with my disappointment. l am sure they will put a correction in a future magazine, but that does not help you or any others who will cut their fabric to make this quilt in the meantime.

l know the pattern l wrote is correct, as l used the workings to make the samples used in the picture diagrams.

My deepest apologies to you. Please don't hesitate to contact
me again if writing to the magazine does not result in satisfaction.

l would also like to make a suggestion for the future. When you decide to make a pattern from a magazine or a purchased pattern that requires you to make many blocks the same, cut just for one sample block. l know this can make a little more work, but at the same time also save much heartache in finding many pieces of cut fabric that are incorrect.

Many thanks again for bringing this to my attention. l hope you are able to make the corrections and your quilt become the treasure you planned.

Best wishes,

Linda Collins.

As a quilt designer and pattern writer, this experience has damaged
my faith in this quilt magazine. When l write my directions,
l check them, double check them, then triple check them. Then l
use my own cutting directions and make a test block. Then l cut several more sets
of pieces and make part blocks and components. Those test blocks
and components are used as pictures in the magazine.
So l know they work.

When you buy a pattern, a magazine or a quilt book, you trust they have
the directions right. In fact, you put a lot of faith in it.
Yes, sometimes things go wrong. This magazine can put in a correction notice
BUT!
It won't help those who only bought the magazine for this particular pattern.
It won't help those who decide in a few years time to make this quilt.
It won't help those, who, over the following years, buy this magazine second
hand and decide to make this quilt.

Who knows how many years l will get emails about this particular
pattern. That's the risk we take as designers.
But it's difficult when l am not to blame.

l have sent Janni a copy of my own written directions, and a copy of the directions
the magazine sent me for approval. These 2 were the same.
The problem occurred when the directions were typed ready
for printing. This does not help Janni or any others that have
bought the magazine, fallen in love with the project, bought their fabric
and placed trust in the directions being correct and started cutting.

Yes, l did loose sleep last night worrying about it. l take what l do seriously.
Because when all is said and done, l don't do this for the money.
Believe me. l won't make my fortune writing quilt patterns.
l do it because l love and want to share my passion for
quilting and the antique quilts l own. l want others to be able to make
their own version of an antique quilt l love.
l want to share my knowledge with this wonderful community of quilters.
That's part of who l am!!

Something similar happened to me about 6 years ago. A new quilt shop
opened and my sewing buddy and l fell in love with one of the
quilts being offered as a class. We bought our fabric, turned up at the
class and proceeded to cut the requirements. Over the next few
classes we all make advances with our blocks. Then came the day
to attach our setting triangles.
As we stitched, l discovered the setting triangle measurements
was wrong. The triangles were too small. l brought this to the attention of
our teacher, the designer of the quilt. Naturally she was horrified.
She offered to replace all fabric that had been cut the wrong size, with
most in the class taking up the offer. l couldn't. l felt bad enough bringing
the matter to her attention. l had plenty of fabric, l said, l will reuse
those triangles in another project. But our trust was a little damaged.
Maybe this experience has led me into writing my own patterns.
Then l only have myself to blame.

One thing l do know when making multiple blocks the same for a quilt. l always cut
and test a block first. Yes, this does take time. But this way, if there is a problem,
it can be sorted quickly, without wasting too much fabric.
Janni's was a tough lesson to learn.

This morning, l took the instructions in the magazine, cut out 1 block
and stitched it together. This is what Janni has been dealing with.
No wonder she was pulling her hair out!!

This is what it should look like.

There has been a flurry of emails this morning. Its all being blamed
on a computer software incompatibility. These things do happen.

So if you have managed to stick with me this far, l'm going to ask you
to place your TRUST in me. If you leave a comment on this post,
l will email you a copy of my original Schoolhouse pattern, written
and tested by me. l can't promise you its perfect!! But we can HOPE!!

Many thanks for reading to the end.
l feel a whole lot better now.

Thanks for visiting.
Linda.

P.S. Please feel free to share a link to this post. l feel it's important to
warn as many people as possible about the lessons that can be learnt here.

110 comments:

Linda, I felt so sorry or you reading this post. I was going to start some of your house blocks tommorow with a friend having an afternoon sewing! I can imagine how frustrated you must feel being the designer. Your explanation is very good and I am sure the Editor is going to be swamped with emails!!! You are an inspiration to any who love reading your blog, don't get overly stressed! All the best and thank you adding this explanation today. You saved me from a nightmare tomorrow :-) as I am not good with measurements, patterns at the best of times. Kind regards, Ann ps. I just loved your photo's from Norway and The Netherlands.

Linda, I commend you on your efforts to correct this 'foulup'. I don't have the magazine, but I have had a similar thing happen to me with a different magazine. Fortunately I had only cut one block, and when I rang the designer who is also a shop owner, she said to me, Oh well you'll just have to buy my pattern. It bugged me, so I sorted it out for myself.I think you are a very good person for sorting it out.Kind regardsSue from NZ

Thank you for sharing Janni's email with us and explaining things. I haven't done practice blocks before when making a large quilt. I have been lucky and had no problems but now having read your post, I will do so in future.

I'm not writing to get a copy of correct measuremments. I live in France and don't have the magazine. Just wanted to thank you for your honesty and the answer you wrote as well as the advice you gave. A test block is indeed very important. I learnt that a while ago when a similar event happened to me, different magazine though...

I just wanted to show my support to you and to thank you for sharing this with us. How frustrating and disappointing for you - I do hope the magazine will reprint the correct pattern in a future issue.

I have had the same thing happen with knitting patterns and recipes.

The habit of making a test block is a good one to adopt before cutting into our precious fabrics.

Linda, I read your blog all the time and am very impressed by your honesty. i don't have the magazine but I did have a similar experience making a quilt from a book. It was the sashing measurement that was wrong. They asked you to cut all fabrics before beginning sewing. I was lucky that I have enough material to re-cut. The author/quilter did admit her mistake months later in her blog but for me, the damage was done. I really sympathize with Janni and understand her frustration. I think your suggestion of a test block is a very good idea though a bit more work.

Hi Linda, I read your blog all the time and get to your exhibitions each year. I too bought this magazine because of your pattern, so would love a copy of the original measurements. May I also commend you on the way you have handled the matter and also to Janni for letting you know. A friend of mine recently advised someone that a pattern was wrong after cutting all fabrics and the well known chain of stores, did nothing and treated my friend like a 2 year old who knew nothing about quilting. Subsequently, the word has spread and our circle will not ever bother with a pattern from that store. I guess it always pays to make a test block, but most of us are too excited to get into the nitty gritty of quilt making.

Hi Linda, I am glad to read your post. I bought the magazine for your pattern. I wasn't planning to make the whole quilt, just one block.I attempted it on Sunday afternoon and it didn't go well. I unpicked and cut new pieces and remade the four parts. I finally gave up when the foundation part didn't match the rest.I haven't met you (yet) but it seemed to me that you wouldn't have published a pattern that seemed to have so many problems. It is a relief to find that your work and double checking was not at fault but it was thwarted by the magazine publisher.I hope you don't lose too much sleep, I would like a copy of your original pattern.

hi Linda, poor you and Janni, I sympathize with both of you...this happened years ago to me, and now I always make a test block, as usually it is months or even at times years later I cut the fabric and sometimes that fabric is no longer available. Your honesty and integrity as a designer and a person is second to none....your explanation was excellent and I hope that you and Janni don't lose too much sleep over this... and that the said magazine corrects the pattern...as you said tough lesson to learn...Julz

I found your story very interesting! I made a quilt (or started to ) from a Stitch magazine (sent to me by a friend in the States) with instructions written by a very well known quilt pattern designer and blogger. Her response to my dilemma was luke warm, to say the least! Who knows whose fault it was- she wasn't owning up to it! All I know was I had a scrap mess that went in the rubbish! I suspect all her fabric was given to her by her sponsors! Not like most of us who have to purchase our own fabric with our own hard earned money! Now I often test make a block first to see how it all goes together! A house quilt has long been on my list!

Thank you for sharing this. I will make this a part of quiltmaking. I know I get in a hurry to get started on the quilt so I forego this part. I have come across misprints in a quilt magazine. A size I have not seen before. I was suppose to cut the fabric 2 1/5 in square. i am not asking for the pattern. I have just wanted to thank you for this information. Lesson learned. I hope.Trina

I have always read the instructions to make one test block first, but have always trusted the directions of the pattern thus far. Not anymore. Thanks for the info. And sorry it was a hard lesson learned for Janni. Would love to make the school house block. My hubby was an art teacher for 34 years. Wouldn't that be great for a gift?

Oh Wow! So good to know! I was planning on finding this magazine just to make your quilt. I have recently come across several while researching antique quilts and was so excited to see your quilt in antique versions. As a pattern designer, I can only imagine your frustrations with this publication. It is so important that we do those tests on our measurements, and we go to a lot of trouble to do so! Hang in there! Word will get out that you are trying to fix this problem...

Linda, Thank you for all your hard work. Over the years, I have learned to make a sample as well. I would hate to be a proof reader and when you had done the comparison to what you sent in, anyone would think that should be it and have no worries after that. It looks like the people at the magazine need to do more checking and seriously blaming a computer program just doesn't cut it. Computers only take the information given! Shame on them. I would love to have the correct pattern. Thanks Romonia. romoniad@yahoo.com

Thank you for sharing this unfortunate experience. I really has opened my eyes to start doing a test block. I really think that you have done everything you could to rectify the mistake which was not your fault. The difference between what she had to work with and the actual pattern was amazing. I would definintely like the correct pattern instead of the one in the magazine. I am a subscriber to this magazine and I would hope that they do good by Janni.

Thank you for getting this information out. I also was planning to try and find the magazine to make this quilt. I would very much like the correct pattern. Hopefully I will find the magazine. Thanks for all your hard work. I,m a none blogger but hopefully I will be able to get the correct information.

So frustrating! I think the magazine needs to learn to make a sample block too! :) Better they make one then each of their readers, although a sample is a good way to check if a person even likes the block or the fabric in the block, so good to do anyway. (not that I always do) :)

I don't need the instructions, but wanted to say BRAVO for trying to make it right! I've heard numerous horror stories about shop owners/designers doing BOM's with poor instructions, with little to no help in fixing the problem. I'm sorry to say it's the main reason I rarely buy patterns, or get involved in a BOM. I usually see an antique quilt and then draft something myself from it. That way, as you said, I have only myself to blame for messing it up! lol

How awful to think how much time you spent drafting, creating, checking and rechecking, AND checking proofs, to still have it go to print with mistakes! Ugh! You must have wanted to scream!

I never have the discipline to cut all my blocks out before sewing. It isn't because I have the sense to intentionally make a test block, though. I just cannot wait to get to the sewing part. Happily, I cannot remember ever having a problem with the instructions and am quite glad I didn't have an experience like Jenni's. I am sorry the magazine has attached your name to such a botched effort on their part. In addition to a correction they should apologize to you and to their readers. I wish I could say I was surprised at some of the stories your readers have left about shop owners not making things as right as you have when they were actually culpable. But, unfortunately, I had my own disappointing experience with kits I've purchased. I prewash and one shop does not allow for shrinkage. I think they need to state that because I've come up short of fabric on several of their kits. When I called to tell them, the owner said, "Oh, you must prewash. We don't allow for that." So, say it already!

How very distressing for you and all those who have already cut their fabric. I'd love a copy of the correct pattern. I've only cut out an entire patterns once or twice (and was lucky that it was correct). As you, I generally cut out 1, perhaps 2 blocks, and test it first. Not only to see if the pattern is correct, but to see if I enjoy putting the blocks together. If not, I don't make the quilt, just a wee topper or wall hanging or have an orphan block!

I have also run into this problem with a large quilt magazine and understand the frustration on your part and also as a quilt maker. I would love to have a copy of YOUR pattern. Love the blog and wonderful quilts included.

I think all of us have run into problems with quilt block patterns and instructions. I reported a serious one a few months ago on a major quilt block site and I have yet to receive any reply. I applaud you for going the extra yard to help her with the problem.

To me, the worst part is the way these problems make us question our abilities. I spent 2 days working on trying to make it work. I even had my husband take on the challenge. It just didn't work as written

I love your blog and would appreciate the correct version of your house quilt. My e-mail is bgschulze@hotmail.com. Thank you and keep up the good work. Working with computers day in and day out they can be frustrating beasts. Your recommendation of a test block is a rule I always follow and great advice!

Once upon a time my guild was given a pattern for an appliqued Dresden Lady and we were going to make a raffle quilt. The pattern was handed out and for some reason it didn’t quite work. When they were handed back everyone had the same comment/problem. Well, we found out, by the lady that gave us the pattern (it consisted of two parts, the dresden wedges and the lady in silhouette), who was also a quilt teacher, that one of the pieces had the seam allowance added and the other didn’t. We all added our own 1/4 inch seam allowance to both templates and after so much struggle, we found out why the darn things never fit right. It would have been so easy for her to just tell us in the very beginning.I hope things work out better in the future for you with publishing patterns.

Linda - do appreciate your effort to make this right. I too have learned from experience to make a test block. But also don't like cutting out the entire quilt at once since I usually make changes along the way. Love the school house quilt and would appreciate the corrections.

Hello Linda, thank you for your generous offer to provide the correct pattern. What a terrible shock you must have had when it was brought to your attention. I have never made a test block in the past although I have often seen it being recommended, and I think I will be doing it in the future. Keep up your good work,...my email is springwoodz@msn.com

The schoolhouse block has always been my favorite. Thank you for the offer to provide the correct pattern. I had also purchased the magazine with the thought of making your quilt.Luckily I hadn't gotten around to it yet.thank you again. My e-mail is annie5152@comcast.net

Hi Linda, so glad I read your post before I started cutting, would really appreciate it if you could e-mail me the correct pattern, many thanks Maureen e-mail address is maureeng8@optusnet.com.au, once again many thanks

Linda, What a nightmare for you! I would lose more than sleep--I'd be bald from pulling my hair out. I hope the magazine will reprint your quilt with the correct directions. I would love to have a copy of the correct pattern. rhondawilhite@comcast.net. Please don't let this experience stop you from publishing. We all love your quilts!!

Hi Linda....first of all, I love your blog and all of your inspiration!!!I too planned to make this quilt but luckily have not cut it out yet...you might say I was saved by the bell or in this case this post! I would realy appreciate receiving the correct pattern. Thank you so much for standing behind your work and making this offer. I trust you implicitly. Many thanks Sheri-Lee. My email is syoumans@hurontel.on.ca.

I would have felt a bit sick about it too but you deserve a big pat on the back for trying to put it right. From discussions with other quilters, I understand this magazine gets it wrong so many times that it's become mandatory to make one test block first. I do that from any publication now.I do love your quilt and I hope anyone making it will read your blog. I'll add it to my next post so the word can get out.

What a nightmare for you. I always make a test-block before I start to cute just because I´m now that I´m not so good to sew and I´ll make a try before cutting all fabrics.But you had done a lovely pattern. Good Luck and thanks for telling us your story

Thanks for sharing this story Linda. I have never done a sample block and will definitely remember that before I start a new project. I think that you handled the situation caringly and professionally.

Hi Linda, I wholeheartedly apologise for the problems caused by the incorrect measurements that were printed for your lovely Schoolhouse quilt. As you have acknowledged, the instructions you sent me and the edited version I sent you for checking were both correct. This version is the exact same one I sent to the designer. I was sick to the stomach when you contacted me and I spent half the day investigating why, when and how it happened. It was caused due to the incompatablity of Word and the software used by the designers which means they may not be able to see them correctly and may need to manually convert them. Sometimes, if the original document is in a different version or type of software to what I use, this can add to the problem as sometimes there are things embedded in documents I can't change. It is most unusual for so many errors to occur so I am running some tests with our head designer to work out why it happened andto see if there is another way to prevent it happening in future. I have had my designer correct the file which is available as a pdf if anyone would like to email lsmithers@expresspublications.com.au OR they can call me on 02 9741 3961 and we can post out a copy. We will also put a correction on CraftLovers and in our newsletter.As a quilter myself I am very aware of the need for instructions to be correct and I work very hard to ensure they are; it is very frustrating to find an error which has happened after the instructions have left my hands. Even more so if I find it was my error. I track every instance for the simple reason that I want to know how and why so I can prevent it in future.I can assure you I take it very seriously. As always, bad news travels fast. I have worked at Express for almost ten years and I can assure you that errors in AP&Q are minimal and have been reduced significantly due to a lot of checks and training I have put in place.BTW We did a quick ask around the office re making test blocks and we all had to admit that we are too impatient and don't do it... mmmaybe that's something I need to add to all of our instructions.I have had quite a long conversation with Janni, she's a lovely lady, and I appreciate her alerting us to the problem as quickly as she did as this allows us to correct it as soon as possible.Kind regardsElaine Rose, Editor AP&Q

Bravo Linda. I have heard similar to this story, before. Shocking. Hope it kick starts all the magazines ' proof readers. They should make their own sample blocks from now on prior to publication . . . .fabric costs us crafters too much to wash this under the carpet.Good luck with your designing.

Linda, I'm glad that I happened upon this post before I plunged in to cutting. What good advice on sewing a test square first, nothing is more frustrating then pieces not going together. In defence of the magazine scaning in pattern pieces can get altered when putting into a graphics program it has happened to me, I was just lucky enough to have caught it before final printing. So leason learned measure twice and cut once or sew a test square. I would love to have the corrected pattern so I can begin this wonderful quilt.

Linda, I have had this happen with several patterns from other designers. Each time I contacted the magazine to make sure these were corrected. I know it happens from time to time, which is why I usually make a sample block before cutting out any additional blocks.

Oh, to have every one down the line in the process be as conscientious as you! My husband is in the printing industry, and accidents happen, but someone must be accountable. There is no computer that doesn't have some PERSON proofreading corrections, and that is NOT acceptable that the magazine company doesn't step up! I'm with you, ALWAYS cut one and test it. Besides, you may try the pattern, and change your mind on the doing the quilt full size ~:-}pokey

Thanks for the offer to provide the correct instructions. I have this magazine and the quilt is flagged for my to do list. As a consumer, and reading other posts, I will be more diligent in making a test block before I cut an entire quilt.

Thanks for the great post. I had honestly never thought of making a test block before. I just assumed that a published pattern would be correct. Thanks for your honesty and integrity in making this right.

I always (okay nearly always) make one test block before cutting out all the pieces for an entire quilt. Not only is it a good idea to make sure all the cutting measurements are indeed accurate, but I can see how the colors I chose look and if I prefer to change colors or the placement of those colors, then I can. Plus I get a better idea of how it will look and it's a sample to look at when I sew. If things are not accurate, then at least I did not waste my fabric and more importantly my time in cutting out incorrect measurements. We are all human after all and we can make mistakes and then there are those computer glitches (humans do program those tihngs too you know).

I have come across many poorly written patterns and I know the designer must not have had a pattern tester or at least not a good tested. Those patterns were just not written clearly or there weren't photos or sketches to make it easier to understand.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention and I will link to my blogs.

Thank you, Linda, for your honesty and speed in correcting this mistake. Of course, the problem is that the more hands a product has to pass through, the more chance for error occurs, and that is incredibly frustrating for the people who have labored over their parts to ensure perfection. Mistakes happen, it's the way the ensuing problems are remedied that really matters. And no one could ask for more than what you have swiftly offered here. Kudos to you! I read your blog regularly and have been looking forward to attempting your beautiful schoolhouse quilt. I, however, am one of those people who sticks the magazine in a box with the fabric chosen, and waits for "the right time" to start the project. I never would have heard about any problem, and would have started the project in a year's time. Thank goodness for blogs!! Keep up the great work!

Linda we can't say THANK YOU for your honesty and how quickly you corrected this mistake..Love your work..I get this magazine and marked your quilt...to make this winter..could you send me the corrections? And I do hope the magazine makes the correction in the near future..I think from now on I will make one sample block before I cut out all the pieces...Love your blog also...Keep it up girl...

Your response to this problem is really appreciated, you're doing everything you can! I loved your quilt and was planning on finding this magazine just for that pattern! (I have to travel out of town to find anything like this) Now I know I'll have an accurate pattern and instructions. Thanks also for your lovely blog.

Even with a computer software incompatability, the final printout should have been visually checked for accuracy. I spent many years as a bookkeeper and even though I double checked all reports on my computer screen, I still checked them after printout. You just never know what can happen between the computer and the printer!

Thank you for sharing this. I am a new quilter so would probably have thought it was me that was doing something wrong, rather than the pattern not being correct. I would have assumed that the pattern was right and I was wrong, I will certainly be checking my patterns carefully in the future and do a test block as you suggest. I have just become your latest follower. :-) Linda

I didn't buy the magazine..I just weanted to say I know how awful it feels to have this happen to one of your patterns. I had this happen a couple of years ago with a magazine. I made sure the cutting directions were correct because my name and reputation went with the pattern. I was horrified that they made a typo when printing the cutting measurements!I hope this doesn't cause too many problems for anyone that wants to make this quilt wonderful quilt.

Oh goodness! I have the magazine and had your quilt marked, but hadn't cut anything yet. I feel so bad for you as I know you worked hard on the pattern. I've done some pattern testing for designers and it is a lot of work. So sorry to read about the magazine glitch and how they've handled it. Thank you!

Oh my goodness. I can imagine how you must feel Linda. The dilemma of knowing that you are not responsible for the inaccuracies of the magazine pattern, but realizing that 1. Many quilters will follow those instructions and have fabric wastage and 2. Many of those same quilters will not read this blog post and will believe the inaccuracies to be yours and not the publishers. I hope the magazine prints a respectable apology to yourself and a separate one to its readers, and that they are printed - along with the pattern corrections - in a prominent position in the magazine and not tucked somewhere in advertising down the back!!!! My hope is that this will not deter you from continuing to share your passion with others. Kind regards

I can imagine your frustration because even though it wasn't your error, it was your pattern that was printed wrong. Anyone who follows your blog knows how much you do to share your knowledge with fellow quilters. Please do not worry about this any more; you have done all that you can to rectify it.

Feel bad for Janni having cut out all her blocks. I think you have done the correct and honourable thing. Hopefully the magazine will act the same way.would love to have the amended instructions please.Just saw previous comment by express publ. sounds like they have backed you up and taken responsibility.

Wow, that's quite a cautionary story. I do a test block if I'm trying out a new technique. For example, I'm using a charm pack to test out a Dresden ruler before I cut into my whole pile of Flower Sugar fabric. But too often I do trust the pattern if it's a bunch of squares, rectangles and HSTs. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I do think that you handled the situation with grace. By the way, this is my first time to your blog via a link (sorry, I don't remember who linked it!) and I'll be back.

Hi Linda, I have a pattern in the same magazine, which I have found has a small error in it. It's just in the wording and doesn't make any difference to the pattern but it could be confusing. It isn't the first time there has been a small mistake. There was a big mistake with one of my patterns once. It was my mistake but I was surprised that it wasn't picked up. It only came to light when someone wrote to the magazine to point it out. It is the only time that they haven't sent the proof to me to check. I may not have picked it up but it would have been nice to be given the opportunity, particularly seeing I asked twice where the proof was for me to check and was told not to worry my quilt looked stunning. Vicki vickilorraine at hotmail dot com

Hi Linda, I have a pattern in the same magazine, which I have found has a small error in it. It's just in the wording and doesn't make any difference to the pattern but it could be confusing. It isn't the first time there has been a small mistake. There was a big mistake with one of my patterns once. It was my mistake but I was surprised that it wasn't picked up. It only came to light when someone wrote to the magazine to point it out. It is the only time that they haven't sent the proof to me to check. I may not have picked it up but it would have been nice to be given the opportunity, particularly seeing I asked twice where the proof was for me to check and was told not to worry my quilt looked stunning. Vicki vickilorraine at hotmail dot com

Hello,thanks for the post. Could you print somewhere on the post the exact reference (issue number and volume numeber)to the magazine (the letter from Janni reads "latest edition of Patchwork and Quilting" but I hadn't realised it was Australian Patchwork and Quilting!)?

I have just had this week had a sort-of-similar experience. Someone has emailed about an apparent error in one of the quilts in my book and asked for help to salvage her blocks. I know exactly what she has done, but, when I tried to email her, my replies bounced straight back. I have also alerted my publishers, and put out a call for her on my blog, but have had no luck so far. I just hate to think of what she must be thinking about me, and am at a loss about what to do.

I don't have the magazine in question but just wanted to express my admiration for your honesty and dedication to a job done right. It's obvious you create patterns out of love for the craft and in the spirit of sharing. Thanks for the tip about making one block first as a test, it's good advice.

Oh my gosh am I ever grateful to you for this blog post!!! It had never before occurred to make a test block for a purchased pattern or one in a book or magazine. Guess I've just been lucky so far. Thank you so much!!!

Thank you very much for sharing this lesson, Linda! I'm so sorry this happened to you. I don't get this particular publication, but it's a good lesson to remember whenever using any published pattern. I think you handled it extremely well. But, the publisher's excuse of "computer software incompatibility" doesn't cut it with me. What ever happened to proofreading?

What a good soul you are, trying to right someone else's wrong! I applaud you. I have had issues in the past with just trying to get a designer to put the correction on their website, to no avail. And this was after I'd wasted all the fabric in the kit.

I was referred to your blog, and I'm so glad as it's a beautiful blog and I'm going to keep on reading!

Thank you for sorting out the corrections and making this offer ... this is the best response I have ever seen from anyone, and have rarely seen a great resonse from the publishers. I won't buy the magazine and don't want to make the quilt, but I have spent a lot of time helping others sort out problems encountered in published patterns. Hopefully I will remember this one and have some idea of where the problem is!

Linda, what an honourable and decent person you are to help fix this problem, not of your making. Thank you for designing and sharing patterns of your quilts for us less talented patchworkers to make and enjoy. We look forward to seeing many more over the years.I may not actually make this quilt myself, but if I have the pattern, someonein my patchwork groups may like to do so.Thank you.I am a non blogger too.

Oh no your poor thing, I can imagine how terrible you must feel even though it is definitely not your fault. I (almost) always make a test block first, because after all we are all only human! I would love the correct measurements please :)

This is so sad to hear about. I encountered a similar issue in a book. It drove me crazy! I emailed the author (who probably has received the same email many times) about the issue. She was quick in responding and turns out same thing happened. Proof was correct but printing was wrong.

hello ired your article with great attention. Something similar happened to a friend with a book of a very well kwnon artist . It is a sampler and in every pattern measeruments are false !!yes i will follow your counsel do a sample before I enjoyed to read you and I discover your blog today .I will come back sorry for my English . I am living in the French part of Switzerland

Hi Linda, thank you for taking the trouble to explain what happened. I am a purchaser of many second hand quilt magazines and would have been devastated with this problem. I would love a correct copy of your gorgeous pattern. mreijnen@bigpond.net.au

Jocelyn of the Happy Cottage Quilter, referred us to this post regarding trusting quilt patterns, especially those we find in magazines. Thank you for your genuine response to Janni. I found your posting very relevant and have often wondered how accurate magazine patterns are since I have enjoyed subscribing to many and too often I see corrections to previous patterns in later issues. I think your suggestion of making a sample block is a very helpful idea. Thanks.

Hi Linda - many thanks for sending the correct copy of the pattern. I bought the magazine to make this quilt but hadn't started yet. SO GLAD I saw this before I started. Blessings to you!!prudencelay@gmail.com